ending

noun

end·​ing ˈen-diŋ 

: something that constitutes an end: such as

a

: conclusion

a movie with a happy ending

b

: one or more letters or syllables added to a word base especially in inflection

Synonyms

• end
• conclusion
• finale
• closing
• culmination
• close

Examples of ending in a Sentence

I didn't like the book's ending.

Common verb endings in English are “-s,” “-ed,” and “-ing.”

You can often recognize an English adverb by its “-ly” ending.

Recent Examples on the Web

Amazon Prime Video’s six-part thriller concluded with an ending that cannonballed into new territory and paddled swiftly away from the ending of Michelle Frances’ 2017 novel of the same name. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

Intense, dramatic and often life-changing, time speeds up in this energetic tunnel with themes of endings and beginnings coming into view. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025

Hopefully, Wise and Ekeler did not suffer anything season-ending. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Now, a new King adaptation directed by I Am Legend and Hunger Games franchise helmer Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by JT Mollner (Strange Darling) is making waves for putting a fresh spin on the ending of the 1979 book on which it's based. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ending

• nerve ending
• never-ending

Rhymes for ending

• bending
• blending
• fending
• lending
• mending
• pending
• rending
• sending
• spending
• tending
• trending
• vending

Kids Definition

ending

noun

end·​ing ˈen-diŋ 

: the final part : conclusion, end

a novel with a happy ending